Chapter 7

Chapter 7

Once Eliza had stalked off, Alexander immediately returned to the ballroom, not wanting his absence to get noticed. He was certain no one had seen him with Eliza on the staircase, but being careful was absolutely important to make sure Eliza’s reputation remained untainted. No one was supposed to see them together no matter what happened, or it would only result in disaster.

“My Lord …” A young lady’s voice forced him to turn around, and he smiled at her customarily. She had been following him around for a while now.

“My Lady.” He nodded slightly.

“We missed you in the ballroom. Wherever did you disappear?” So his absence had been noticed.

“I was right here.” He smiled candidly, staring straight into her eyes. “You must have not been looking closely.”

She blushed deeply, unable to meet his stare, and Edward decided this to be the perfect moment of escape. He bowed to her and excused himself, quickly consumed by the sea of colours that adorned the ballroom. Despite everything around him, his mind was still on Eliza.

He had never intended to pull her this close to him, but the proximity had allowed him to know that she smelled faintly floral, a mixture of flowers emanating from her skin.

The scent had been heady enough to make him lose focus, and she had used that very instance to run away from him. She tantalized his senses in the most sensuous ways, and Alexander could feel his attraction towards her growing with every passing day. She was doing things to him that he had no means to either understand or escape from.

However, he could not let the attraction he felt towards her overtake all of his senses. His feelings were not as important as Eliza’s condition, and he had already taken an oath to restore her to her former glory. Hence, nothing else could get in his way except what needed to be done to make sure Eliza had it all.

Everything that belonged to her was going to be hers again, and Alexander would make it happen.

I need to find Edgar.

He looked around the ballroom, hoping to catch sight of Lord Leicester, but the man was nowhere to be seen. It was important for Alexander to sit and have a conversation with the man, especially when he was tipsy, and find out as much as he could.

Alexander quickly realized how several older gentlemen were missing from the ballroom, which only meant they were playing cards.

He took directions from a waiter and made his way towards Edgar’s study, where cards and drinks had been set up.

Alexander stepped into the room with quiet confidence, his gaze sweeping over the group of men huddled around a rich oak table, being used for their decks of cards as they played poker.

He breathed in the air, thick with the scent of whisky and cigar smoke, and easily assumed a position on an empty, plush leather sofa, which looked as if it had been waiting for him.

The men, their masks off, stared at him silently, no one willing to challenge Alexander’s lion-like stride. Edgar, too, sat at the table, half slouched in his chair, his drunkenness apparent on his rapidly ageing face.

“My Lord,” Edgar finally greeted Alexander, and the table erupted into quiet chatter once again, the discomfort dispelled entirely.

“Mind if I join, gentlemen?”

“The stakes are rather high,” an older man with hawk eyes replied, “are you certain you can join?”

Alexander chuckled, motioning to the dealer to shuffle the deck as he placed a hefty number of chips on the table to silence all those around him.

Everyone stayed quiet as the dealer shuffled the deck with a quick flick of his wrists, the cards snapping as they slid across the table. Alexander was hardly worried about the game or the stakes, having enough money even to lose without any damage to him, but despite that, he was a skilled poker player.

He hardly ever lost. Unless he needed to.

Alexander let his cards remain untouched, simply reading the table as everyone looked at the hand they had been dealt. The other gentlemen maintained their poker faces, but Alexander had seen too much of this world to be fooled by them. He could win this game with his eyes closed, but he needed to lose.

Edgar was already drunk on victory, and Alexander needed to rouse him slightly before bringing him down. He needed to make a friend out of Edgar rather than an enemy, and he needed to make sure Edgar respected him enough to divulge what Alexander needed to know.

“All in,” one of the noble lords said, folding his cards.

Several others folded right after until Alexander viewed his cards. Edgar folded, easily winning the round, while Alexander stayed put. He kept going on in that manner, losing rather easily to Edgar, who was already on the way to believing that he had it all tonight.

He looked around the table, sensing everyone was becoming comfortable with him, no longer viewing him as a stranger who could turn out to be better than them all.

No sweeter time than this to attack.

“I am going all in.” Edgar smiled, putting all his winnings from the night and some other money into the game, and Alexander did the same wordlessly.

Edgar revealed his hand, and Alexander smirked as the suspense built around the table. He flipped his cards – a full house. Silence ensued all around him as everyone looked at him in surprise while Edgar eyed him closely. He pulled the chips towards him, not bothering to count, and tipped his head slightly towards the man who had organized the ball today.

“Are you cheating? How did you win the biggest hand after losing so many?” a noble lord asked Alexander, and he laughed.

“Just luck.”

With a nod at the gentlemen, Alexander stood up and made his way towards the bar, ordering a whisky.

He knew with quiet assurance that Edgar would follow after him, and that would be the perfect time to lay down his questions in front of the man. All Alexander needed was to goad Edgar enough for him to get ready to reveal anything and everything.

“You.” Alexander turned around, and just as he had expected, Edgar stood behind him, using the wall for support.

He was drunker than he would care to admit, and Alexander moved away, allowing the man to rest against the bar instead. Despite already being completely gone, he ordered a drink and angled his grey eyes on Alexander.

Despite being hazy, Alexander could see nothing but greed and malice in them, showing how the man before him possessed no ethical or moral values. After what he had done to Eliza, his own niece, Alexander did not doubt that.

“Congratulations,” Edgar said, raising his glass towards Alexander, who nodded and took a sip. Edgar downed the whole drink in one go, slamming the glass on the wooden bar.

“Thank you, My Lord.”

“Who are you? I, too, have to wonder if you are nothing but a cheat behind that mask.”

“The whole point of a masquerade is to be your real self behind a mask. I would rather be anonymous and my true self rather than put on an air of facade with my mask removed.”

“Fair.” Edgar laughed.

“I must compliment you on the lovely masquerade you have arranged here, My Lord. I must say that I have travelled the world and spent my fair share of time in gatherings both noble and exquisite, but I have never been to a ball as fine as this one.”

Edgar’s eyes glinted. It was enough indication for Alexander to know that he enjoyed the praise immensely.

“You do seem like a man of the world,” Edgar replied, “and your interest in this ball is the perfect indication of your fine taste. I do wish to ask you who you are, but I respect your wish to remain anonymous. However, I would like it if you could introduce yourself to me at some other gathering where we are not separated by a mask.”

“I will do so, My Lord.” It was Alexander’s turn to chuckle. “Who in their right mind would not wish to be acquainted with the fine Russels.”

“Damn right.” Edgar raised his second glass of whisky towards Alexander and took a sip of the clear liquid.

“Everything about the Russels is rather endearing, I must say,” Alexander continued to flatter. “Even your daughters are lovely, adding much to the allure of the evening.”

“Ah.” Edgar beamed, his smile growing with every compliment Alexander threw his way, “In that case, you must have met my beautiful English rose, Lady Victoria. What did you think of her?”

“Your description of her beauty is rather precise, My Lord.” Alexander smiled. “She is indeed an English rose. Even the house you have here is exquisitely charming. If you are feeling up to the task, I would love to look around and have a tour.”

“Now, now, young man.” Edgar laughed, “I might be older than you, but I am just as spirited today as I was twenty years ago. I would be delighted to give you a tour of my prized jewel – this estate.”

“Lead the way.”

Alexander exited the room along with Edgar, finally able to breathe again after being rid of the insufferable smell of cigar smoke. The entire house, along with all the servants, was entirely involved in ensuring the ball was being catered to in high fashion, and all else was left empty.

Edgar led Alexander away from the main hall into a string of corridors, which Alexander already knew by heart. The end of these corridors opened into a large verandah and directly into the back gardens, which were a prized part of the house, adding to its beauty. Edgar was truly looking to impress.

“I must ask, My Lord,” Alexander spoke, cutting Edgar’s monologue short, “how you came in possession of such a beautiful estate.”

Edgar laughed softly, a sigh escaping through his mouth as he contemplated the reply. Alexander already knew he was certainly not going to get the truth from the old man, but he was at least hoping for some clue that he would be able to hold against him. Edgar was already rather drunk, and his senses diminished.

“I only came by it because I was wise enough to grab onto an opportunity with no remorse when it came my way. I simply was able to understand that my God was trying to bless me for my patience and good deeds, and I took control of all that rightfully belonged to me.”

Rightfully. What a hypocrite.

Alexander had the urge to slam his fist into Edgar’s face, but he controlled it, not wanting to cause a scene both prematurely and unnecessarily.

Before he could ask another question to get more information out of Edgar, they heard footsteps approaching them into the empty corridor and shortly afterwards, Lady Leicester appeared, her eyes widening as she saw her husband with Alexander. Being the perfect hostess, she did not allow her surprise to remain on her face and immediately smoothed it into a smile.

“My Lord,” she greeted Alexander before turning a curious glance towards Edgar.

“Lady Leicester.” Alexander smiled from underneath the mask. “Your husband here was showing me this beautiful estate. I must tell you that you have a beautiful house.”

“Oh, this is nothing.” Lady Leicester laughed, enjoying the praise. “You must see the country house. It is far bigger and much grander. You will enjoy being there even more.”

“I do not doubt it for one second.”

“Edgar, you should have asked me to accompany you for the tour. You must have bored the poor man with unnecessary details.” Alexander was annoyed at her unwanted presence, feeling as if she knew her husband was going to say or do something that he should not be doing. She was there to save him from divulging too much, and Alexander was certainly not happy about it.

“He did no such thing.” Alexander chuckled lightly.

“But you must return to the ballroom at once, My Lord,” she addressed Alexander, “several young ladies have been asking about you, and I believe you should not keep them waiting. You are clearly quite a favourite of the ton tonight.”

“Well, if that is the case, we must not keep them waiting.”

He silently followed Lord and Lady Leicester back inside the ballroom, the dance floor fully occupied as the music blared. Alexander sighed deeply, knowing full well that the evening might not bring him any other new revelations since any revelation that could have come through Lord Leicester was curbed by his wife.

He was slightly disappointed, but not so much. His agendas for the evening had been achieved, and he could simply slip out unnoticed.

“Mother!”

Alexander eyed the pale blonde hair and blue eyes hidden behind a barely-there mask on a man dressed in a perfectly white coat and breeches. He knew this must be Henry, the son of Lord and Lady Leicester.

From what Alexander could tell just by staring at him, he was both young and spoiled, brought up on nothing but the perks brought about by money. Money that did not even belong to him. Alexander would not be surprised if he was just as mean and spineless as his parents.

“Henry,” Lady Leicester turned to him while Lord Leicester simply stalked away.

Alexander knew he should have moved away, letting the mother and son have some privacy, but he was too invested in the conversation to care about propriety. He needed to find out as much about the family as he could, and the only thing that would help him do so was to have these interactions.

“Where is Beth?”

Beth? Why did he want Eliza? Alexander felt uncomfortable in the man’s presence; his tone and expressions were too entitled. It seemed as if he had not cared about anything or anyone in his life and was too full of himself even to consider the feelings of another. Moreover, the way he took Eliza’s name unsettled Alexander. It almost felt like he believed he owned her.

“Why do you need her?” Lady Leicester threw a nervous smile towards Alexander, clearly remembering he was still there. Henry, on the other hand, had refused even to acknowledge Alexander’s imposing presence.

“The masquerade is too tiresome, and I require something stronger than champagne for myself and my friends. I need Beth to serve us in my private study.”

Private study. Alexander felt rage build up inside him, but he could not react. He simply needed to make sure that Eliza stayed away from this man.

“She is busy elsewhere, my darling,” Lady Leicester said softly, “you must ask another maid to do so.”

Henry’s expression changed entirely to one of pure inconvenience, as if he was a child who had not been handed his favourite toy. Alexander could feel that this was not the first time he was talking about Eliza in such a manner, but he must treat her similarly on a regular basis.

The mere thought of this man being close to Eliza boiled Alexander’s blood, but he continued to breathe in and out slowly to remain calm. That was all he could do.

“This is absurd,” he frowned, and Lady Leicester laughed to hide his bad temper.

“You are being terribly rude, Henry.” She threw another glance at Alexander. “You must greet … this gentleman right here. I am sorry, but I do not remember you telling me your name.”

“I prefer the mysterious air the mask gives me,” Alexander replied, “although I do assure you that I did indeed receive the invitation, and I am a part of the guest list.”

“I never once doubted that, My Lord,” Lady Leicester said quickly, pretending as if such a notion had never even crossed her mind.

“I do hope you do not think the worst of me, My Lady.”

“I can never! This is a masquerade, and you have every right to be as mysterious as you wish to be.”

“You must excuse me as you continue with this enlightening discussion,” Henry chimed in, leaving the two of them with a bow.

Alexander was glad that Lady Leicester had asked her son to get another maid to serve him and his friends, or else he would have done something to intercept it.

There was no way he would have stood by doing nothing while Eliza was subjected to the whims of someone as rotten as Henry. As soon as he was gone, Lady Leicester’s expression changed from embarrassment to quiet fury as she stared at someone behind Alexander.

“You must excuse me for a moment, My Lord,” she said, walking away, and Alexander turned around to look at the subject of her anger.

A young lady dressed in an ill-fitting, brightly coloured yellow gown, which only turned her complexion sour, stood there, silently listening to whatever Lady Leicester was throwing her way. Her grey eyes were exactly like Edgar’s, and Alexander immediately guessed her to be the second daughter, Lady Margaret. She was not as beautiful as her sister and slightly fatter, and considering the kind of people the Russels were, this was enough to secure immense hatred for the poor girl.

Without caring about barging into a private conversation, Alexander barged in between the mother and daughter, noticing the resemblance Lady Margaret shared with her father. Her eyes were not evil or cunning like the rest of the family, and she clearly appeared to be innocent.

Lady Leicester stopped with her round of insults the moment Alexander walked in and smiled.

“My Lord,” she said, flustered, “This is my younger daughter, Lady Margaret.”

“Delighted to make your acquaintance, My Lady.” Alexander smiled, taking her gloved hand in his to place a kiss over her knuckles.

She blushed deeply.

“May I have the pleasure of your company for a dance?”

“Me?” she appeared slightly confused. Alexander felt guilty because what she might view as affection was nothing but a ploy to extract some information from her for him. Although, he did wish to rid her of her mother’s stern gaze.

“Yes.”

“I would love to.”

He nodded at Lady Leicester, who seemed confused before whisking Lady Margaret away to the dance floor. The couples were already settling in, and they quickly assumed their positions as the set started. Within the first few seconds of the waltz, Alexander understood that she was clearly rustic at the steps, stepping on Alexander’s feet rather often.

“Look at me, Lady Margaret,” he said to her, for she was only staring at their feet, trying to do all the steps right. His tone made her look at him.

“Yes?” she stuttered out.

“You must keep all your focus on me and me alone. Alright? I will guide you through the dance.”

She nodded, fear shining in her eyes, but Alexander easily took control of her movements and guided her along with him. His expert hands twirled her in a way that he stayed completely out of the way, and she moved with perfect momentum, not faltering even slightly.

Her fear was replaced by another happy emotion, her eyes beginning to shine slightly as she looked at Alexander. He was glad to see she was enjoying herself. He could see she was very unlike her brother and sister, but that hardly meant she had no part in Eliza’s humiliation. She was weak herself, but she could still be dangerous, and Alexander was not going to underestimate her at all.

“Tell me about yourself, Lady Margaret.”

“About myself?” She seemed confused as if no one had asked her this before. “Well, I enjoy playing the pianoforte, and I do love dancing, even though I am not very good at it.”

She laughed.

“All it needs is practice,” Alexander said, smiling. “You must dance at every ball, and you will be rather perfect in no time.”

“I hope so.” She stared at him shyly.

“Your house here is rather beautiful, and the ball your parents have thrown is rather grand. I have lived away from London too long and have only returned a few days ago. I am glad I chose this gathering to be the first gathering of being in the middle of the ton again.”

“I am quite glad you like it.”

“Although, I do have a few questions if you would care to clear up my confusion?”

“Anything, My Lord.” She looked too eager to help him.

“Last time I was in London, which I must tell you was many years ago, this estate belonged to the Duke and Duchess of Grafton. Did it not?”

“Who?” Lady Margaret gulped nervously, her nervousness beginning to show on her face. Sheens of sweat began to form on her forehead, and Alexander wondered if he pressed her enough, would she divulge something worth knowing?

Although, he could sense she was much too weak to make such a mistake. This was not the right time.

“The Duke and Duchess of Grafton? I do not know if I remember this correctly, but I believe they even had a daughter. Lady Elena, or was it Eliza? I seem to be forgetting. It was many years ago, of course.”

“Lady Eli … Eliza?”

Her movements once again became still as tension filled her shoulders, and Alexander was scared that if he pressed her any more than he already had, she would run away from him.

Terror clouded her expression, and he immediately decided to let it go, knowing he could not let her suffer more than she must already suffer being Lady Victoria’s sister.

“Oh, but forget it,” he said offhandedly, sounding casual, “I am sure I must be remembering wrong. My memory does get the worst of me at times.”

Lady Margaret laughed nervously, the tension beginning to leave her body at last.

“Of course.” She sighed deeply.

“I must tell you that I have always had quite a fancy for hair as dark as yours.” He smiled. “It looks beautiful on you, especially with the red ribbons.”

Lady Margaret blushed again, clearly not used to compliments. Alexander was certain she had spent all her life in the shadow of her sister and constantly being reprimanded by her mother and father. He could see the miserable life she must have led, and he simply wished to boost her confidence only if slightly. Lady Margaret deserved this much, at least, and Alexander wanted to be there to give it to her.

“Thank you, My Lord.”

“You must get compliments from young men all the time. You are truly marvellous to look at.”

“Are you jesting?” she asked, despite being crimson from the praise Alexander was administering to her.

“I am being entirely honest, My Lady,” he reassured her, “you must take my word for it.”

“I must thank you for your kindness.”

The set came to an end, and he quickly bowed to her, excusing himself. Dinner had been announced, and Alexander needed to discern and find out all the people who were close to the Russels. Anyone close to them could give him potential information regarding the family and the clearly uncouth means they had used to steal away all that belonged to Eliza through her father’s will.

He walked through the maze of people into the drawing room where Lord and Lady Leicester were already seeing to the comfort of their guests.

He settled down, his mind only on one thing. He needed to make sure the Russels saw the end of them, and he needed to do it soon.